Oh Happy Day

Last week, a friend posted on Facebook that the Britannica Great Books of the Western World were for sale at the local library. I couldn't sleep that night. I was so excited and also worried that someone else would beat me to them. So I was at the library just a few minutes after they opened and now they are mine! I also scored a few other treasures.

I spent $28 for 74 books, most of them in mint condition. I was giddy for days. The nerd in me felt like a kid on Christmas morning!

Herbology

Studying herbology gives me a good excuse to work in the yard during school time. We have been pulling weeds and studying their root systems, digging in dirt, learning about different kids of dirt and what kinds are best for growing things, planting herbs and seeds, and learning about how plants get food and grow.

When we weren't "working" for school we did some further investigating. I was surprised when we learned about photosynthesis that Lahna had never heard of it before. I was pleased when we learned about plant cells that Anna was interested enough to watch a rather intense youtube video exhaustively describing the process of photosynthesis within a plant cell..... 3 times. I laughed because we talked about pollination and the girls made faces when I told about the "male" and "female" parts of a plant.  And when Robert and William requested the story of the very hungry leaf....again and again, I had a feeling of satisfaction that they were learning and enjoying it.

Yup, I love homeschooling.

"The Very Hungry Leaf" taught is about Photosynthesis. Robert is feeding the leaf energy from the sun.

William, with his I am smiling face, is about to feed the leaf carbon dioxide.

We collected samples of dirt from different areas near our house. We put the dirt in jars, added water and gave them a good shake. We then watched the dirt settle.

We made a plant cell cake. The kids did all the decorating and it turned out really well. Even Robert and William helped.

The kids presented the cake as a group project.

Please Keep Growing

William, talking to the tadpoles yesterday: "Please, please, please, grow into frogs before you die. I just really want to see you turn into a frog and just know your are going to die before you are a frog. Pleeeease don't die."

So far, I have gotten away with just flushing them down the toilet when they die, but this kid is getting a little attached. I really don't want to have any tadpole funerals. 

Care of Magical Creatures

We are now down to 4 tadpoles. The death of the last one was a little traumatic for William. The one that died was the biggest and had his back legs, but for some reason was stuck upside down, therefore couldn't eat. There is one more with his back legs and we are anxiously watching the rest for changes.  They have been surprisingly entertaining. Even David and I find ourselves drawn to them.

Last Friday we received our caterpillars in the mail. They are growing so fast and should start forming their chrysalides by the end of the week.

The day they arrived in the mail.

This morning, just 4 days later.

T-ball

We are loving t-ball around here. Practices are only once a week, games are only an hour, and most importantly, Robert loves it, and we love watching him!

Robert with one of his best buddies, Sam

Robert played against 2 of his good friends, Kennedy and Mackenzie

Missing Teeth

I love this boy and his gappy smile! His teeth are falling out way faster than they are coming in. And seriously, whoever our tooth fairy is better get on the ball. She is always late. I mean come on, how hard is it to remember to stick some money under a pillow?

A Full Day

At dinner last night, we were sitting around discussing the days activities, and I was overwhelmed with a filling of gratitude for the experiences my children are having.  We are so blessed to live in a time and place where they have so many opportunities.

The day started with promotion at the Mateo Academy where Anna, Alahna, and Robert are learning martial arts and self defense. (William will start in the fall.) They all were promoted to white belt second degree and Robert was surprised that he earned student of the month for February. Later in the day when we talked about it he said, "What does student of the month mean, anyway." :)

After promotion, Robert had his first t-ball game and Anna went with the youth group from church to take an introduction to scuba diving class. Listening to her talk about her experience had us all cracking up at the dinner table. She takes after her Grandma Jane and is a great storyteller.

At most martial arts studios white belts are given upon beginning the program. At the Mateo Academy Sifu makes his students earn it.